In Venezuela, President Hugo Chávez's party lost more than one-third of its parliamentary seats in September legislative elections. When the new legislature sits in January, his more than 10-year grip on power could be challenged. Critics worry that he will attempt to assert more control from a weakened position, especially ahead of 2012 presidential elections. In fact, before the outgoing parliament left, it passed several initiatives strengthening Chávez's power, including the power to rule by decree.

Latin America will continue to assert its independence from the United States as its economies rise. The region is expected to grow by 4.2 percent in 2011, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) based in Santiago, Chile. That's slower than the 6 percent growth estimated for 2010, but still ahead of most developed countries, including the US (see story, p. 14). Latin America is looking to new partners for trade and development, particularly China. A flurry of deals, bilateral visits, and new projects are expected in 2011.

Growth is uneven, of course, with Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil growing at a rapid clip. That's mostly thanks to commodities exports. Earthquake-ravaged Haiti, however, slipped by 7 percent and Venezuela by 1.6 percent.